Have you ever rode a saddle that you can't decide about? I'm riding a Bontrager Race Luxe and it kind of bugs me because the back of my legs hits the wide part of the seat. I know that you need to give a saddle the time to break in. What do you all think? I've always wanted to try the Fizik Arione but don't want to put the bread down for a saddle that I hate.

So here is my question; will you know when your saddle will fit immediately or do you need to adjust to it?

If your new it may take a bit longer...I can tell real soon...after a first ride...most lbs let you try it out for a day or so...just make sure not to mess the seat up or mark it up...lbs will not be happy...

For me it's about 50 miles to tell. The Arione felt great on my 17 mile route, but on metrics it made me numb twice at 50 miles, one of which lasted well into the evening. In it's place is a Terry Tri Gel, has a cutout and no numbness and as comfortable.

i couldn't handle riding ove three hours on the last 4 saddles i've owned...


i bought a specialized avatar and i'm able to easily ride for up to 4.5 hours until something gives... although it's usually not the butt.

If your @ss is of normal cycling size, the Flite is about as far from wrong as you can ever go. You can go lighter, newer, whatever... But the Flite is still very hard to beat.

-Z

How Long did it take for you to figure out that your saddle was right for you?

I liked the Arione, but I was basically sitting on my...

using a Brooks B17 Champion Special right now

I like the Brooks because you sit on your azz, not on yer...

I think they look nice also, very classic--

leather saddle

black B17 would look HOT on that Lemond MJ--Lemond's have a very classic/refined look

Mariner - Honesty, I can't remember. Sorry. I have been running these things on all my bikes for about 10 years now. My @ss is just molded to the Flite shape by now. I have only short hopped on other saddles. And only really have had problems with units that are too wide, too soft or involve gel. Most of them are all pretty damn good.

I would presume that hitting the wide part of the seat and physical discomfort are probably signs that your saddle just isn't right.

Saddles are like dating: there is no way to know for sure, but you'll know when you've found it.

-Z

I think you hit the nail on the head Dino. I'm pushing back on this saddle and it doesn't feel right. Not killer like some discribe but just wrong....

Went through bunch of saddles but once my butt hit a Specilized Alias I found my Mate!

While it's true you should give a saddle (or is it your butt?) a little time to break in, you shouldn't keep riding something that has an obvious problem (e.g., your legs hitting it). All the break-in time in the world won't make that problem go away.

I'd give a saddle a good week for the minor position issues (find the "sweet spot"), and then put it to the true test- a century. The century will let you know for sure if the saddle works or not.

As far as the Fizik goes, I say go for it. They have very good resale value on eBay.

Genital numbness--even one incident of it--means find another saddle, or at least check your saddle position; it may be too high.

It amazes me to read story after story of people experiencing genital numbness and wondering how long their saddle will take to break in. Genitalia--male or female--do not toughen up! Muscles do, and the flesh between sit bones and saddle, but not the genitals.

Genital numbness--even one incident of it--means find another saddle, or at least check your saddle position; it may be too high.

It amazes me to read story after story of people experiencing genital numbness and wondering how long their saddle will take to break in. Genitalia--male or female--do not toughen up! Muscles do, and the flesh between sit bones and saddle, but not the genitals.

Genital numbness--even one incident of it--means find another saddle, or at least check your saddle position; it may be too high.

It amazes me to read story after story of people experiencing genital numbness and wondering how long their saddle will take to break in. Genitalia--male or female--do not toughen up! Muscles do, and the flesh between sit bones and saddle, but not the genitals.

Genital numbness--even one incident of it--means find another saddle, or at least check your saddle position; it may be too high.

It amazes me to read story after story of people experiencing genital numbness and wondering how long their saddle will take to break in. Genitalia--male or female--do not toughen up! Muscles do, and the flesh between sit bones and saddle, but not the genitals.

Is there an echo in here?

I agree 100% Brooks all the way. Plastic saddles DON"T break in. They either fit or they don't. Don't waste your money on any more carbon or plastic pieces of crap. Just break down and buy a real nice Brooks Professional. You'll wonder why you ever wasted your money on those Fizik trendy pieces of crap.

Tim

those specialized saddles are worth looking at, might not work for you--but everyone who uses one LOVES it

worth a try

As the original poster mentioned, their saddle felt too wide (hitting it with their legs?). the Specialized Alias and Avatar come in 3 widths, I believe they are 130, 143 and 150mm. You might want to try one of the 130mm Alias, if any specialized dealers local to you have them in stock.

Seriously, hrmm it truely depends on your body type and a bunch of different factors. There is not an acutal number of days or miles, but its more of a process of trial error. You might spend money on 10 saddles and the 11th will be the best. Or if you are lucky the first saddle you buy works perfectly. And really listening to other poeple say that this saddle is really nice and comfortable, doesnt really work. From your riding so far and your experience, you can cut out alot of choices.

For example, I had this saddle that came with my bike. I absolutely hated it, it had a cut our for my nuts. It felt like i was killing them. But i made sure it wasnt just breaking the saddle in. I went over 300 miles with and could not stand any more. Then i realized i like really flat saddles. So i made my choice with a brooks swift. I absolutely love it, expensive but i never experience any pain.

I would say, evaulate what you like then choose. But with every choice make sure you give it a chance;' dont be quick to turn down. I guess thats why you see alot of saddles on ebay, peopepl are gogin thur the same process you are.

Good Luck.

Everyone will have a different story to tell about finding the right saddle. I'm curious as to when you all decided to bail on your saddle. 300 miles on a bad saddle sounds like torture to me. I've put about 80 miles on this one and the funny thing is that it's not killing me but it's not right. I'm going to pull the Selle Italia off my Trek and ride it awhile.
At first glance the size isn't much different but the transition to the wide part of the Bontrager starts sooner. Just a mm here and there makes a big difference.

I've never had a saddle that was unridable, although some were more comfortable than others. It might have to do with having the slim physique for which most of these saddles are designed, but another factor is smart selection based on proven shapes that have worked in the past. I'm not going to take a flyer because something looks cool, is ulta-light, or seems to be the hot and trendy setup for the moment.

All of these have worked well for me:

Turbo
Turbomatic
Rolls
Regal
Concour-Lite
1st gen. Flite
Aliante

Well putting the Selle Italia on my bike did the trick! It's a great lesson learned because at first glance you really don't see much difference. I know now what to look for in a saddle that will work for me..

Cool Rob, glad it worked for you. Mine is better too but I still think I can find a better one.

pig - too funny. My first saddle love was a Selle Italia turbo saddle. Rode it until the Flite came out. Easy transition. The turbos are great saddles for nearly any @ss.

-Z